#imapiece Craftivist Jigsaw Project

Hopefully some of you will have heard about this unique project to support Save The Children's Race Against Hunger Campaign.

You are urged to make a jigsaw piece, complete with an important message, which will then be a piece of a thought-provoking final installation, showing that the crafting community wants the government to tackle injustice at the G8 summit this year. 

Full instructions, jigsaw template, suggested slogans, and info can be found here. Further information can be found on the Craft Blog UK site here.

my piece for #imapiece

 Want to help raise awareness of world poverty? Then be a craftivist and get stitching! And please help to spread the word!

2013

Already, really? Time goes too fast!

There are exciting times on the horizon: already this year I have 2 workshops, 2 exhibitions and I am delighted to say I have been accepted to show at the Contemporary Craft Festival again this year.

 Plenty to be going on with then!

"Frosty Forest"

"Harbour Lights"

I have enjoyed a little rest over the festive period, spending time with my family, watching Christmas telly and getting into my PJs in the late afternoon. But typically of me, I get twitchy after a while, and have made the above pieces during the last couple of days. Guess I can't help myself!

I will endeavour to blog as much as I can this year: maybe I will make the posts shorter but more regular!

2012 was a fantastic year for Kirsty Elson Designs. If 2013 is anywhere near as good I will be delighted!

Happy New Year to you all. I wish you health and happiness for the coming year. xxx

Winter wonderland

I am signing off for this year (after a pretty hectic few weeks) so I wish you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas. See you on the other side xxx

Short film

A bit random, I know, but someone made a film about me!
Many thanks to Stephen Tolfrey at Studio Wallop for doing such a great job!
I would love to know what you think!

http://vimeo.com/55704853

I want to ride my bicycle!

Hello there! I am just checking in to say a quick hi - as usual things are pretty hectic this time of year for all of us crafters!

I thought I would share a few little things I have been working on lately. They are quite different in a way from what I usually make, but on the other hand maybe not so, as everything is made from found materials.

It all started when I had a special request for a bike card.....

I had so much fun making this first creation...

...that I had to make another - Chopper style!

By now I was getting quite addicted to making these simplified machines!

This was another order for a man who loves motorbikes.

 And my favourite of them all.

 After seeing the 2 dimensional original on my Facebook page, a customer asked for a more 3-D sculpture. I wasn't sure it was going to be possible....

...but with the aid of some railings, I managed to fix and hold the bike together.

I loved branching out a bit with these little items. Back to Christmas products now.

Back soon!! xx

New work and latest news!

 Seaview

 Pub On The Pond

Ten days ago, my 5 year-old son found this

 

  An old plank of wood, with remnants of paint and covered in deep scratches....

I didn't think I would be able to use it for anything, but I took it as I didn't want to hurt his feelings!

But then I got to thinking that the scratches could be reeds, and the paint could be a reflection in water - a pond for example!

So I made some buildings to correspond to the paint colours, and thought that one of them could be a pub (The Red Lion, obviously!) complete with hanging sign.

I added a railing made from nails and rusty wire - and a life ring which is actually an old washer with a lick of paint.

I was pleased with the way it turned out!

Slipway Cottages

The gorgeous chunk of driftwood with turquoise paint on provided the inspiration for this piece. The wedge shaped bit of wood had a few blobs of terracotta paint on: I love these colours together, so I decided to make all the other elements of the sculpture co-ordinate!

So, anyway, what is the latest news I mentioned in the title of this post?!

I am thrilled to tell you that I am now selling my driftwood designs through MadeByHandOnline.com! It is an amazing site, with work from Britain and Ireland's most exciting contemporary designer-makers (their words, not mine!)

Go check out the site! You can find my page here, and at the moment both pieces I have described above are available to buy.

In other news, I am putting a few bits in to the Make 2012 Christmas exhibition at the Devon Guild, Bovey Tracey. The show runs from mid-November to the end of the year.

And finally, I will be selling my wares at two upcoming craft fairs. The first is at Cotehele National Trust on November 11, and then at Exeter castle on Dec 2. It would be great if you could come!

Better get back to making then! Byeee!

Making waves

Oh dear, it has been such a long time since my last post I think the only thing I can do is to show you in pictures what I have been up to...with a brief explanation underneath. It will take me a week to write otherwise!!

"Making Waves"

I decided to piece all my odd bits of blue driftwood together to give an impression of waves, so this piece is quite deep. I particularly like the curvy piece at the very front.

This chunky boat is basically one piece of wood which was the end of a huge hunk of wood. Most of it was burnt, but I could see it could still be salvaged. A found weight has been used for a buoy...and I mananged to bend a bit of an old chisel around the mast to make a flag.

"Herman The Whale" - as soon as he is properly finished, he will be going into my shop.

Almshouses with postbox....now living in sunnier climes in Australia!

Customers are always telling me I need to include some knickers on my washing lines.....!!

A large free-standing piece ready to go off to an exhibition here

"Houses on the Lake"

These farm buildings have rusty tin roofs....the smaller one is actually an old hinge.

A custom-made key rack for a lovely customer!

Cottages in rich, autumnal colours

Tiny welsh cottages

Houses on a jetty

And finally!! That dreaded word again.......*whispers* Christmas

Q: When is a plasterboard screw not a plasterboard screw?

A: When it's a Christmas tree!!

And this postbox is actually a floorboard nail with a lick of red paint...and a dusting of "snow" on the top!

Both of the above designs are available as printed Christmas cards on my website.

Phew! If you have reached the end of this marathon post, then well done, and thank you for reading my ramblings!!

Best wishes to you all.